Norco has been highly ranked in the state and nation all year so perhaps they could be excused for looking past a Great Oak team that had to win a wild card game just to get here. It looked great for the hosts in the 1st as 3 of the first 4 batters got hits. But they only managed 1 run and Hanna Dewey did not allow another hit and it took a 6th inning rally for the Cougars to take their only lead of the game.
Great Oak 1 1 0 0 0 0 0=2
Norco 1 0 0 0 0 2 x =3
Dewey vs Lockman
The Wolfpack got off to a quick start Danica Mercado led off the game with an infield single, went to 2nd on a ground out and scored when the 2nd baseman threw wildly to 1st. Norco seemed determined to run themselves out of rallies and the most egregious instance was in the bottom of the 1st. Reed singled up the middle and was safe at 2nd when it was ruled the SS came off the bag. Emily Lockman singled to right but Reed was thrown out at the plate. Koenig picked up the RBI with a single to CF and Goodwin was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Just when it looked like Norco was going to break it open Wolfpack catcher Kayla Gloady picked the runner off 2nd. She ran to 3rd where she was tagged out but the runner on 3rd thought she had to run and it led to an inning-ending double play. The Norco center field wall is 255 ft from the plate so when you get it by the CF you can run all day. That is exactly what happened for Savvy Ferstle as she led off the 2nd with a triple and scored on Kesslers ground out.
Norco threatened again in the 4th. Koenig walked and Goodwin was hit by a pitch. They were bunted over but Gloady picked the runner off 3rd on a possible busted squeeze. The Great Oak offense had been dormant since the 2nd but tried to make some noise in the 6th. Axton singled to RF and went to 2nd when the ball got by the outfielder who made a nice recovery and nailed her trying to go to 2rd. You never want to walk the leadoff hitter but Dewey walked E.Lockman in the 6th and Koenig reached on an error. They moved up on a ground ball and a grounder to 3rd got the run in when the throw from 3rd was a tad late. Samsoe then provided the sac fly for the go-ahead run. Great Oak got a runner in scoring position on a 2-base throwing error in the 7th but couldn't get her home.